Kochi’s Sarita Theater reopens after renovation, combining nostalgia with a modern makeover

On a windy morning, under the canopy of a giant mango tree in Kochi’s sprawling Sarita-Savita-Sangeeta theater complex, stands Sethunath PM, the theater manager. Sarita, the largest of the three theaters, has reopened to the public after renovations, and work is underway at Savita and Sangeeta. Sethunath is busy overseeing the work but steals a few moments to reminisce about his long association with theatre.

He has worked here for 36 years and has seen a flock of films. “I joined in 1991 when the cinema culture was completely different. We played to packed houses and often had to call the police to manage the crowds. Those days are gone. Today, almost everyone books tickets online. As Sarita reopens with modern facilities and the crowds are back, it’s like the old days again,” he adds.

Inside the Saritha Theater | Photo credit: RK Nithin

A multiplex-style experience

Opened in 1981, Sarita-Savita-Sangeeta could be called Kerala’s first multiplex-style experience as it was the first three-in-one theater complex. “My father worked on the plantations. But he loved cinema. He wanted to go into the entertainment industry and wanted to make it,” says Issac Francis, managing partner of the theater complex. “He bought a plot of just over an acre on Banerji Road from the family of prominent Jewish businessman S Koder,” says Issac.

Construction began in 1976 and the theater was formally inaugurated in December 1981. “Chennai-based architect Govinda Rao, who designed many major theaters and buildings in Kerala, including the Shenoys Theater on MG Road and the Pastoral Orientation Center in Palarivattom, Kochi, designed his current work Sarita-Savita-Sangeeta. “The best feature of the design is its spaciousness.”

The structure of the theater remained intact, with an outdoor ramp leading to Sarita adding to the visual drama. The building, which turns 45 this December, remains one of Kochi’s important cultural landmarks. Even the intersection was named after Sarita.

Inside the theater | Photo credit: RK Nithin

Emotion

Especially for high school students of St. Alberts was a cinema of emotions. “Every reunion brings back nostalgic memories – the jostling for tickets, the excitement of the first day, the first show and the excitement of watching a movie with friends. For us, especially the backbencher boys, such trips were a sort of coming-of-age ritual,” says Arun Kumar, Station Engineer, 110KV Substation, Kinesco, Ernakulam.

Sarita-Savita-Sangeeta in 2003 | Photo credit: JOHNEY THOMAS

“I still vividly remember the first day, the first performance of Lagaan. The front rows were full of St Albert’s boys. And when the cricket started, the hall erupted. Every boundary produced a roar, every wicket a collective groan. We cheered at the screen as if we were in the stands of a live cricket match,” he adds.

Issac recalls the first film that was screened at Sarita-Savita-Sangeetha – Padayottam, a multi-starrer epic period drama directed by Jijo Punnoose. He was a law student at the time.

The theater witnessed many successful blockbusters in the 1990s and beyond and managed to survive even as multiplexes and OTT platforms became the norm.

Back with a bang

Sarita was closed for renovation in 2021. The theatre, which had 1,272 seats before the renovation, now has 713 seats. It has a 4k Barco SP laser projector, a 61-foot tall by 26-foot wide screen, Dolby Atmos and sound, and upgraded seats. “Acoustics is the most important aspect of the theater and the theater already had original teak, mahogany and white cedar wood paneling that has been retained,” adds Issac.

Even as pressures for change mounted, the family wanted to keep the theater intact. “Costs went up, there were no back-to-back hits and the number of premieres went down. The whole culture of watching movies changed. But this is a family property that my father and my brothers built and I wanted to honor his memory and keep it alive,” says Issac.

Savita and Sangeeta will reopen soon after renovation.

Published – 04 Sep 2026 14:27 IST